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Best Dog Food for Kidney Disease 2024
Written by Joe Holyoake
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 01/04/2024, edited: 01/04/2024
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
The kidneys play a key role in the body by removing waste products, releasing hormones and regulating levels of salt, potassium and acid. When these vital organs are affected by disease, this throws the digestive process into disarray.
When a dog is diagnosed with kidney disease, a vet will normally recommend dietary changes. Food for dogs with kidney disease has to fulfill many functions. First of all, it must be lower in protein, as the poorly functioning kidneys struggle to filter out excess protein waste.
What little protein goes into the recipe should ideally be top quality, so dogs still receive the vital amino acids that they would otherwise be getting from meat. Some products are supplemented with Omega fatty acids — say from fish oil — for this very reason.
It’s also important that a diet for kidney disease is low in phosphorus and sodium, two substances known to have a negative impact on kidney function.
Some dogs with renal disease might need help with hydration — in which case, the moisture in wet dog food will help on that front. Other pets will be fine with dry dog food, so ask for your vet’s guidance when it comes to switching to a new product.
“Regular monitoring and veterinary care are a crucial part of managing kidney disease in dogs,” states Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, a pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants. “Depending on the stage of kidney disease, levels of protein, phosphorus and sodium may need to be adjusted. Speak to your veterinarian or pet nutritionist to formulate a plan that is tailored to your pet’s specific needs.”
Above all else, the type of food you choose has to be tempting enough for dogs to eat! If your pup turns his or her nose up at what’s in their bowl, it’s not a lot of use. That’s certainly a lot to ask for, but we’ve managed to find some of the best options when it comes to dog food for kidney disease.
Overview
Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Wet Dog Food Kidney Support
Vet recommended
For Dr. Georgia Jeremiah — pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants — Blue Buffalo is always a safe pair of hands when it comes to feeding your dog.
“Blue Buffalo dog food products cater to different life stages, sizes, and breeds of dogs. They offer formulations containing limited ingredients, which may be beneficial for dogs with certain dietary sensitivities,” she says.
Thankfully, the Connecticut-based company has a recipe created especially for canines with renal disease. This contains a carefully controlled level of protein that comes from real chicken and chicken broth, the first two listed ingredients.
Additional Omega 3 fatty acids come from helpings of fish oil and flaxseed, while your pet will be getting antioxidants from the cranberries and blueberries.
There’s a dry food version as well, but we’ve highlighted the wet food for those dogs that need the extra moisture in the body. Both are fully deserving of their place among the best dog food for kidney disease.
Blue Buffalo Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The brand is recommended by Dr. Jeremiah, one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants
- The protein levels are low, but the bulk of it still comes from real chicken, the first-listed ingredient
- The wet formulation has a high moisture content, which helps with hydration
- The amount of phosphorus in the recipe is suitable for dogs with renal disease
- The fact there’s a dry version available is handy should a dog have to transition to dry dog food for whatever reason
Considerations & Concerns
- The product requires veterinary authorization to be purchased online
- The cost is considerably higher than many other wet dog foods
- The company has been subject to recalls in the past (although not since 2017)
- The product is often out of stock and tricky to acquire
What Pet Parents Say About Blue Buffalo Kidney Support Wet Dog Food
“Our girl loves the Blue Buffalo KS foods (canned & dry). After switching her over to Blue KS she started eating better and her energy level has been higher - she did not do well on the prescription diet they carried at our veterinary clinic. So glad we found Blue Buffalo veterinary diets while doing some research on the internet!”
“We tried all the other prescription kidney support wet foods out there and our dog Bridget refused to eat any, until we happened upon Blue. We got the prescription for Blue, and she loved the taste and always ate it. We believe it gave her a good quality of life until she passed of unrelated causes at the good old age of 16.”
Read more reviews at Petco.
Product image sourced from the Blue Buffalo website. Copyright Blue Buffalo Company Ltd.
Forza10 Nutraceutic Actiwet Renal Support Wet Dog Food
Best wet food for dogs with kidney disease
We always think it’s reassuring when a pet food company is set up by a vet. That was the case with Forza10, an Italian brand started in 1995 with the intention of producing dog food recipes with nutritional benefits backed up by scientific literature.
The Renal Support recipe is a good example of this philosophy in action. There are much lower levels of protein than compared to most regular dog foods and this is obtained from top-notch lamb lung from New Zealand.
Cranberries and both dried dandelion and clover have all been added to support the function of the kidney, while phosphorus and sodium amounts have been lowered to be appropriate for dogs with renal disease.
All that and no artificial colors, preservatives or flavors to be found in the ingredient list. You can see why we think it’d be such a good kidney diet for dogs.
Forza10 Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The protein comes from pasture-raised lambs, rather than byproducts or meals
- The ingredient list has no artificial nasties at all
- The wet formulation aids hydration in dogs that need it most
- The phosphorus and sodium levels are A-OK for dogs with renal disease
Considerations & Concerns
- The product is a little pricier than other dog food for dogs with kidney disease
- The size of each can is quite small, especially if you’re feeding larger breeds of dog
- The fact there’s only one flavor might make things tricky if fussy pups refuse to eat it
What Pet Parents Say About Forza10 Nutraceutic Actiwet Renal Support Wet Dog Food
“After a year I finally found a kidney care diet my very picky little dog eats all at once. So far so good. Most renal/kidney care prescription diets she eats the first time then she doesn't like it next time. I have to give her a different one every meal. She gets tired of them very easily. Currently she completely eats the Forza 10 renal diet for her evening meal and something different in the mornings. Forza10 is a little too oily for her stomach so I blot off the extra oil now before I give it to her. I found out it didn't agree with her after she ate it four times in a row without blotting the extra oil. This is an over the counter renal diet but my vet's office says she can have it. So happy to find a low protein kidney food she actually enjoys!”
“Our pup was recently put on a renal diet, and we quickly learned that he despised the dry kibble. Using this wet food in small portions as a topper was a game changer for us and his appetite came back in no time!”
Read more reviews at Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Forza10 America.
Dave's Pet Food Veterinarian Formulated Restricted Phosphorus & Protein Kidney Support
Best budget wet dog food for kidney disease
Dave’s Pet Food is, unsurprisingly, a company run by a man called Dave. This might sound like an amateur effort, but the recipes are formulated with the assistance of veterinary nutritionists and there are plenty geared towards niche dietary ailments.
Kidney disease is one of them. The crude protein levels are especially low at a maximum of 3.5% and it’s suggested that parents can add extra protein to the meal if they believe this could be a little higher.
That being said, the protein sources are of high quality, with both tuna and chicken featured in the ingredients (although neither is the first listed). We also like that there’s only a minuscule amount of phosphorus inside, plus lots of vitamins and minerals to replace those lost through frequent urination.
And while it might be more expensive than many other wet dog foods, it’s the cheapest on our list and should prove to be a solid option for parents watching the bottom line.
Dave's Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The ingredient list features both real chicken and tuna
- The protein levels are really low and the recipe can act as a base mix in which to add more meat
- The high moisture content is helpful for dogs lacking hydration
- The recipe has been formulated with the assistance of veterinarians
Considerations & Concerns
- The can size is quite small if you have a larger breed with a big appetite
- The fact there’s only one flavor could prove a source of frustration if your dog refuses to eat it
- The product is made in Thailand rather than the USA
What Pet Parents Say About Dave’s Pet Food
“My pug has a very sensitive stomach. The vet put him on a prescription diet, but he hated the food, he just wouldn’t eat. So I read reviews of Dave’s chicken and rice, bland diet. I decided to give it a try. I’m very pleased not only does my pug like it, it helps his stomach and he has normal bowel movements, which makes us all happy. If your dog has a sensitive stomach. I would recommend you give it a try.”
“AT LAST a bland diet for dogs that they absolutely love and that doesn’t require a prescription from the Veterinarian.”
“My Lab is 13yrs old, she cannot tolerate a lot of other foods and dry foods. She is doing well with Dave's. Chicken and Rice (Restricted Diet)”
Read more reviews at Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Dave's Pet Food.
Rayne Nutrition Crocodilia MAINT
Best dog food for dogs with kidney disease and allergies
Some dogs are just plain unlucky. If your pet has both a form of kidney disease and food allergies, you might find picking meals something of a minefield.
Rayne Nutrition might be your knight in shining armor with this recipe that uses alligators as a novel source of protein. Along with this, there’s a limited number of natural ingredients, including dried chickpeas and peas, so as to not aggravate sensitive stomachs.
Plus, the plant-based Omega fatty acids add some welcome DHA and EPA into the fray — these have anti-inflammatory properties that can aid with kidney disease.
At this point, it should be emphasized that this recipe won’t be appropriate for all dogs with kidney disease, particularly those with more severe cases. While the phosphorus and sodium figures are low, the protein levels are a lot higher than others on our list — always consult with a vet before switching a dog with kidney disease over to a new food.
Rayne Nutrition Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The main source of protein is alligator, making it a standout choice for dogs with allergies to other meats
- The phosphorus and sodium contents are lowered to reduce stress on overworked kidneys
- The Omega fatty acids contain DHA and EPA, which can soothe inflammation in the kidneys
- The limited number of highly digestible ingredients could prove helpful for dogs with sensitive stomachs
Considerations & Concerns
- The protein levels will be too high for dogs with advanced forms of renal disease
- The dry formulation won’t help dogs with hydration issues
- The product is only available to buy from the Rayne Nutrition website
What Pet Parents Say About Rayne Nutrition
“My dog has IBD and is borderline [lymphangiectasia]. He is very sensitive to fat levels in his food. I was happy to find this food, as it has been difficult to find something that is [a] novel protein that he wants to eat and that won't give him diarrhea.”
“Ruby is a 4.5 year old Goldendoodle with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. She has been unsuccessful with many specialized foods, but our Internal Med specialist suggested we try crocodile. She eats the MAINT with chickpeas dry, with a spoonful of the wet DIAG on top. She LOVED it from day 1, and has been [literally] licking the bowl after each meal. Her poops are smaller and firmer, and her stinky breath is gone. Rayne has been the BEST company to deal with--their customer service is second to none.”
Read more reviews at Rayne Nutrition.
Product image sourced from the Rayne Nutrition website. Copyright Rayne Nutrition.
Dr Harvey’s Advanced Nutrition for Canine Kidney Health
Best base mix for dogs with kidney disease
As we’ve mentioned a few times, dogs with kidney disease often need to be cautious when it comes to the amount of protein they eat — this is because the kidneys can find it difficult to process large amounts of excess protein waste.
When it comes to finding dog food, one option is to opt for a recipe with a heavily reduced amount of protein. Another choice is a base mix into which parents can add their own meat, thereby giving them full control over the protein their dog consumes.
Dr Harvey’s has created a base mix targeted at canines with renal disease that’s made only with minimally processed, whole-food ingredients. All parents have to do before serving it up to their pets is add hot water, fresh meat and oil.
The company behind the recipe might not be the most well-known, but it’s been producing healthy pet food for more than three decades now, using the knowledge of veterinary consultants to help guide the process.
Dr. Harvey's Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The meatless base mix gives parents full control over how much protein their dog consumes
- The phosphorus levels are low enough for dogs with renal disease to eat
- The recipe is made only from whole-food ingredients and there are no artificial flavors, preservatives or colors
- The suggested serving method of adding hot water beforehand helps with hydration
- The formula has been created with the assistance of veterinary consultants
Considerations & Concerns
- The fact it has no meat means parents have to consider this added expense
- The product is only available from the Dr Harvey’s website
- The grains in the ingredient list might be difficult for some dogs with sensitive stomachs to tolerate
What Pet Parents Say About Dr Harvey’s
“When my little dog was diagnosed with stage II chronic kidney disease (CKD) I was devastated. I've always believed that knowledge is power, so I began to read as much as I could on CKD. In this instance, however, the more I read the more confused I became. I did not want to put my dog on commercially prepared prescription food as my vet suggested.
That's when I came across Dr Harvey's. They offer a sample of their dehydrated, human grade food, "Canine Miracle Health". They don't even charge for it, you just pay the shipping and handling costs. One sample bag held a generous amount: enough for more [than] two days of meals for my 12 lb [Shih Tzu]. My dog, Chewie, loved the food. He ate it up and licked the bowl clean.
The staff are amazing. I reached out to them with a few questions, and was called back by their veterinary nutritionist. She was incredibly helpful and reassuring. That was one year ago. I've fed Chewie a consistent diet of Dr [Harvey's] food. I took him in to have comprehensive lab testing done, and was astonished and grateful at the results: Chewie's kidney values were in their normal ranges. I am very happy with the products that we've been using, and am so thankful to have found them!”
“Complete natural and holistic approach using whole foods for feeding your companion animal. Highly recommend depending on your dog’s health needs.”
Read more reviews at Trustpilot.
Product image sourced from the Dr. Harvey's website. Copyright Dr. Harvey's.
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